**2.5 Aspects of the energy industry act (EnWG) and the gas network access ordinance (GasNZV)**

Section 19 of the Energy Industry Act stipulates that the operators of gas distribution networks are obliged, taking into account conditions set out in section 17 for the network connection of LNG facilities, de-centralised generation and storage facilities, other transmission or gas distribution systems and direct pipelines, to determine minimum technical requirements for design and operation, and to publish them on the Internet.

The minimum technical requirements set out according to these sections shall ensure the interoperability of the grids and shall be justified objectively and not be discriminatory. Interoperability includes in particular the technical connection requirements and conditions for grid-compatible gas properties, including gas generated from biomass or other types of gas, as far as they are technically able to be injected into the gas supply grid or transported through this grid without compromising security (Energy Industry Act, 2005). For ensuring technical security section 49 applies: energy facilities shall be constructed and operated so that technical security is guaranteed. Thereby, subject to other legislation, generally accepted technical rules are to be observed. Compliance with the generally recognized technical rules shall be presumed if, in the case of plants for the generation, transmission and distribution of gas, the technical rules of the German Association of the Gas and Water Industry have been complied with.

Conditions for gas grid access are described in the Gas Network Access Ordinance (GasNZV, 2005) in part 11a "special arrangements for injecting biogas into the natural gas grid". The Gas Network Access Ordinance regulates the conditions under which the gas network operators are obliged to grant transportation customers access to the gas networks.
